Easy Way to Schedule a Backup in Windows 7

Disclaimer: Since this process is only copying files, there should be no negative effect on the computer. The location chosen to store the backup must have enough free space or the process will not complete. Visit Here

When working in IT, I constantly have to inform or remind people about the importance of backing up their files. I've seen many people lose important documents, favorite music or family photos that they can't replace because they only had them on their computer without any form of backup.

To complete a file backup on a PC, some form of storage location will be required. This can be done using a variety of storage options that come in a wide range of storage capabilities. Some of the different types of storage are USB flash drives, USB portable external hard drives, external desktop hard drives, or a secondary internal hard drive inside the computer. These usually come with all the cables needed to connect to your computer. These devices can be purchased at almost any retail store that sells electronics such as Best Buy, Staples or Walmart.

For this guide, I'm going to use the Windows Backup and Restore tool. This can be found in several different ways, but I'll show you what I consider the simplest way.
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Step 1: Launch the backup and restore application
Start the backup and restore application

A. Click the Start button, which is usually located at the bottom left of the screen.

B. In the search box, type "Backup & Restore".

C. Click the Backup and Restore result in the Programs list.
Step 2: Open the window "Configure Backup"
Open the

The Backup and Restore window should appear. If this is your first time configuring a backup, there will be a Configure Backup link on the upper right side of the window.

Click the Configure backup link to begin the backup process.

The window at the bottom will appear asking you to wait while it loads.
Step 3: Select the storage location
Select the storage location

This screen shows the location options for the backup, along with the free space and the total size of each location.

Select the chosen storage location by clicking on it and then click the Next button.

NOTE: The "Recommended" storage location for the backup is used for this guide.
Step 4: Choose the folder selection method
Choose the folder selection method

This window provides the options for "Allow Windows to choose" or "Let me choose" for which files and folders to backup.

Once decided, click the Next button.

"Let me choose" offers more control and flexibility, so it was used for this guide.
Step 5: Select the folders for backup
Select folders for backup

In this window, the check boxes are selected for the folders to back up. The small arrows to the left of a folder indicate that the folder has subfolders. Clicking these small arrows will expand to show subfolders. If a selected file has subfolders, those items will be included in the backup.

Below the folder selection area is also the option to Include a drive system image and a description of what it does. While it's a good idea to do so occasionally, this will make the backup file larger and take longer to complete.

Once all backup options have been selected, click the Next button.

For this guide, you did not select "Include a System Image".
Step 6: Choose Schedule Preference and start backup
Choose Schedule Preference and Start Backup

The final stage is to decide the backup schedule or whether to want an individual backup on demand.

A. On this screen on the left, to change the schedule, click the Change Schedule link near the center of the window.

B. After clicking on the link, the right window will appear. If the "Run backup at a time" check box is unchecked, the backup will be set to "On Demand". Otherwise, use the drop-down boxes to select the desired schedule for the backup and click the OK button to close this window.

C. Once all settings have been selected, click Save Settings and run the backup button.

When the backup begins, the progress window at the bottom appears.
Step 7: Finished!
Finished!

When the backup is complete, click the Close button.
Step 8: Check the status of the backup
Check backup status

To confirm or review the backup status, follow steps 1 through 3 again to access the Backup and Restore program. Here you can check the location, size, next backup time and the last completed backup time. In addition, the settings for a scheduled backup can be changed from this window or a schedule can be disabled by clicking the link for any of the tasks.